Systems, devices, admixtures, and methods including transponders for indication of food attributes

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices, admixtures, and methods are described including transponder devices (e.g., a palatable transponder, an edible transponder, a palatable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an edible RFID tag, etc.) for admixing with a food product.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

The present application constitutes a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/199,360, titled SYSTEMS, DEVICES, ADMIXTURES,AND METHODS INCLUDING TRANSPONDERS FOR INDICATION OF FOOD ATTRIBUTES,naming Michael H. Baym, Paul Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y.Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Erez Lieberman, Nathan P. Myhrvold, and Lowell L.Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 25 Aug. 2011, which is currentlyco-pending or is an application of which currently co-pendingapplication is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

If the listings of applications provided above are inconsistent with thelistings provided via an ADS, it is the intent of the Applicant to claimpriority to each application that appears in the DomesticBenefit/National Stage Information section of the ADS and to eachapplication that appears in the Priority Applications section of thisapplication.

All subject matter of the Priority Applications and of any and allapplications related to the Priority Applications by priority claims(directly or indirectly), including any priority claims made and subjectmatter incorporated by reference therein as of the filing date of theinstant application, is incorporated herein by reference to the extentsuch subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,palatable transponder device for admixing with a food product (e.g.,food, food precursor, pet food products, snacks pieces, finished foodproducts, livestock feed, or the like) including an encapsulant havingone or more organoleptic attributes (e.g., appearance, aroma, color,softness, taste, texture, tenderness, or the like) that mimic the foodproduct. In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device includes afood-attribute-identification circuit including one or more memorycircuits having food-attribute data associated with a food productstored thereon. In an embodiment, the palatable transponder deviceincludes an interrogation interface operably coupled to thefood-attribute-identification circuit that provides food-attribute datain response to interrogation of the interrogation interface.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a palatable transponder device including a substrate having anintegrated circuit and an interrogation interface disposed thereon. Inan embodiment, the substrate incorporates one or more organolepticattributes (e.g., appearance, aroma, color, softness, taste, texture,tenderness, or the like) that mimic a food product.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method for making a palatable transponder including at least partiallyembedding an integrated circuit, including afood-attribute-identification circuit operably coupled to aninterrogation interface, in an encapsulant having one or moreorganoleptic attributes that mimic the food product.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method for making a palatable transponder including at least partiallyembedding an integrated circuit, including an interrogation interface,in an elastomeric package configured to reduce human sensory feedbackwhen the integrated circuit is in a human dental occlusion.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,an edible transponder device including a food-attribute-identificationcircuit disposed on an edible substrate. In an embodiment, the edibletransponder device includes a first interrogation interface operablycoupled to the food-attribute-identification circuit, and is configuredto provide food-attribute data in response to interrogation of the firstinterrogation interface.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a transponder device (e.g., a palatable transponder, an edibletransponder, a palatable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, anedible RFID tag, etc.) for admixing with a food product. In anembodiment, the transponder includes a food-attribute-identificationcircuit disposed (e.g., printed, affixed, etc.) on a substrate (e.g., apalatable substrate, an edible substrate, etc). In an embodiment, thetransponder device includes a food-attribute-identification circuithaving one or more memory circuits with food-attribute data storedthereon. In an embodiment, the transponder device includes aninterrogation interface operably coupled to thefood-attribute-identification circuit. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit is configured to providefood-attribute data in response to interrogation of the interrogationinterface.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a multiplex food-attribute-identification transponder system including aplurality of micro-transponder sets. In an embodiment, eachmicro-transponder set includes at least one micro-transponder having afood-attribute-identification circuit including at least one physicaldata structure having food-attribute data stored thereon. In anembodiment, each micro-transponder set includes at least onemicro-transponder having an interrogation-selective interface operablycoupled to the food-attribute-identification circuit. In an embodiment,the interrogation-selective interface is operable to providefood-attribute data in response to electromagnetic interrogation of theinterrogation-selective interface that satisfies interrogation-selectivecriteria. In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality ofmicro-transponder sets includes an interrogation-selective criteriadifferent from another of the plurality of micro-transponder sets.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,an admixture of palatable transponders and a food product including aquantity of food product (e.g., food or food precursor) and a pluralityof palatable transponders. In an embodiment, one or more of theplurality of palatable transponders includes an encapsulant includingthat reduces an ability of a person to discriminate between thepalatable transponder and a food product. In an embodiment, one or moreof the plurality of palatable transponders includes a substrate havingone or more organoleptic attributes that mimic a food product. In anembodiment, one or more of the plurality of palatable transpondersincludes a substrate carrying an integrated circuit manufactured toreduce interactions with a human digestive tract. In an embodiment, theadmixture of radio frequency identification tags and the food product isreceived within a food utensil having one or more structural elementsthat are substantially transparent to electromagnetic energy in theradio frequency range.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,food product including a substantially radio frequency transparentcontainer. In an embodiment, the substantially radio frequencytransparent container includes a quantity of food product and aplurality of palatable transponders received within. In an embodiment,the substantially radio frequency transparent container includes aquantity of food product and a plurality of edible transponders receivedwithin.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,an admixture of edible transponders and a food product including aquantity of food product (e.g., food or food precursor) and a pluralityof edible transponders. In an embodiment, each of the plurality ofedible transponders includes an interrogation interface, and afood-attribute-identification circuit operably coupled to theinterrogation interface and disposed on the edible substrate. In anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit includes one ormore memory circuits having food-attribute data associated with the foodproduct stored thereon.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a multiplex food-attribute-identification transponder system including aplurality of micro-transponder sets. In an embodiment, eachmicro-transponder set includes at least one micro-transponder having afood-attribute-identification circuit including at least one physicaldata structure having food-attribute data stored thereon. In anembodiment, each micro-transponder set includes at least onemicro-transponder having an interrogation-selective interface operablycoupled to the food-attribute-identification circuit. In an embodiment,the interrogation-selective interface is operable to providefood-attribute data in response to electromagnetic interrogation of theinterrogation-selective interface that satisfies interrogation-selectivecriteria. In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality ofmicro-transponder sets includes an interrogation-selective criteriadifferent from another of the plurality of micro-transponder sets.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a food product including a quantity of food product and a quantity ofradio frequency identification tags in a stochastic distribution withinthe quantity of food product. In an embodiment, the radio frequencyidentification tags include a food-attribute-identification circuithaving food-attribute data stored on one or more memory circuits.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,an attribute-identifying food product including a quantity of foodproduct and a plurality of radio frequency identification tags. In anembodiment, a portion of the plurality of radio frequency identificationtags includes a food-attribute-identification circuit including one ormore physical data structures having food-attribute data indicative ofat least one food attribute stored thereon. In an embodiment, a portionof the plurality of radio frequency identification tags includes aninterrogation-selective interface operably coupled to thefood-attribute-identification circuit.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a food product including a plurality of food particles and at least onefood-attribute-identification circuit including an interrogationinterface and having food-attribute data stored on one or more memorycircuits. In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit iscoupled to one or more of the plurality of food particles.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag including afood-attribute-identification circuit and at least one interrogationinterface operably coupled to the food-attribute-identification circuit.In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit includesprogrammable storage having food-attribute data stored thereon. In anembodiment, the at least one interrogation interface is responsive toelectromagnetic energy interrogation.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method of manufacturing an edible transponder device including writingfood-attribute information (e.g., food-attribute data or the like) ontoa memory circuit of an edible transponder device having an interrogationinterface operatively coupled to the memory circuit. In an embodiment,the method includes writing structured data indicative of at least onefood attribute onto the memory circuit.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method for making a radio frequency identification tag carried by afood product (e.g., food particles, food flakes, etc.) includingphysically coupling an integrated circuit includingfood-attribute-identification circuit having food-attribute data storedthereon and an interrogation interface onto an edible substrate.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a radio frequency identification tag including afood-attribute-identification circuit and an interrogation interface onan integrated circuit die. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit includes one or more memorycircuits having food-attribute data stored thereon. In an embodiment,the radio frequency identification tag includes a resonant antennaformed on the integrated circuit die and operatively coupled to theinterrogation interface. In an embodiment, the resonant antenna has aQuality factor (Q-factor) ranging from about 10 to about 1000.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a radio frequency identification tag including afood-attribute-identification circuit including an interrogationinterface on an integrated circuit die. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit includes one or more memorycircuits having food-attribute data stored thereon. In an embodiment,the radio frequency identification tag includes a resonant antennaformed on the integrated circuit die and operatively coupled to theinterrogation interface. In an embodiment, the resonant antenna includesat least one of a food-attribute-specific resonance frequency or afood-attribute-specific inductance associated therewith. In anembodiment, the resonant antenna includes at least one of a resonancefrequency, inductance, or resistance that varies when exposed to a foodhandling condition.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a radio frequency identification tag configured to track food includinga resonant antenna configured for sensitivity at a frequency range thatis a function of an adjacent food permittivity. In an embodiment, theradio frequency identification tag includes an antenna tuning circuitcoupled to the resonant antenna, and a logic circuit operatively coupledto the tuning circuit. In an embodiment, the logic circuit is configuredto switch at least one of inductance or resistance of the tuningcircuit. In an embodiment, the radio frequency identification tagincludes an interrogation interface configured to receive a command forthe logic circuit to switch one or more of the inductance or resistanceof the tuning circuit.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a passive radio frequency identification tag configured to track foodincluding a first antenna interface operable to draw power from aninterrogation field and a second antenna interface operable to causebackscatter or forward scatter. In an embodiment, the passive radiofrequency identification tag includes a logic and memory circuitoperatively that is coupled so as to draw power from the first antennainterface and communicate across the second antenna interface.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,an edible transponder device including a substrate coupled to anintegrated circuit having an interrogation interface. In an embodiment,the substrate includes a material having an attribute that reduces theability of a person to discriminate between the edible transponder and afood product.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,an edible transponder device including a substrate carrying anintegrated circuit manufactured to reduce interactions with a humandigestive tract. In an embodiment, the edible transponder deviceincludes a delivery system including an edible carrier operativelycoupled to the substrate and configured to deliver the substrate holdingthe integrated circuit to the human digestive tract.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method for making an edible transponder including at least partiallyembedding an integrated circuit, including an interrogation interface,in an elastomeric package configured to reduce human sensory feedbackwhen the integrated circuit is in a human dental occlusion.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method for making a radio frequency identification tag carried by foodparticles including physically coupling a food-attribute-identificationcircuit including an interrogation interface onto an edible substrate.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,an apparatus for embedding radio frequency identification tags in a foodproduct including a data source configured to provide data correspondingto a food attribute of a food product. In an embodiment, the apparatusfor embedding radio frequency identification tags includes a tag-countcontroller configured to determine at least an approximate number ofradio frequency identification tags for insertion into the food productbased on a measured food attribute. In an embodiment, the apparatus forembedding radio frequency identification tags includes an actuatoroperatively coupled to the tag-count controller and configured to causethe insertion of the at least approximate number of radio frequencyidentification tags into the food product.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,an apparatus for embedding radio frequency identification tags in a foodproduct including a sensor component including one or more sensors thatmeasure a food attribute of a food product. In an embodiment, theapparatus for embedding radio frequency identification tags includes atag-count controller configured to determine at least an approximatenumber of radio frequency identification tags for insertion into thefood product based on a measured food attribute. In an embodiment, theapparatus for embedding radio frequency identification tags includes anactuator operatively coupled to the tag-count controller and configuredto cause the insertion of the at least approximate number of radiofrequency identification tags into the food product.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method including combining a first quantity of radio frequencyidentification tags with a second quantity of food product in astochastic distribution.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a system for mixing radio frequency identification tags into foodincluding a dispenser controller configured to actuate insertion ofradio frequency identification tags into a food product. In anembodiment, the system includes a food-tag interrogator configured tooutput commands to the radio frequency identification tags to change aresponse frequency of one or more antennas, while the radio frequencyidentification tags are suspended in the food product.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method for interrogating a plurality of multiplex micro-transpondersincluding irradiating an interrogation field with a first radiofrequency stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to powerat least a portion of a plurality of multiplex micro-transponders. In anembodiment, the method for interrogating a plurality of multiplexmicro-transponders includes interrogating the interrogation field withat least one of a first food-attribute-specific frequency or a firstfood-attribute-specific carrier waveform of a character and for aduration sufficient to communicate with a first set of the plurality ofmultiplex micro-transponders in the interrogation field.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,an admixture of transponders and a food product including a quantity offood product and a plurality of micro-transponder sets. In anembodiment, each micro-transponder set includes at least onemicro-transponder having a food-attribute-identification circuitincluding at least one physical data structure having food-attributedata stored thereon. In an embodiment, each micro-transponder setincludes an interrogation-selective interface operably coupled to thefood-attribute-identification circuit. In an embodiment, theinterrogation-selective interface is operable to provide food-attributedata in response to electromagnetic interrogation of theinterrogation-selective interface that satisfies interrogation-selectivecriteria. In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality ofmicro-transponder sets includes interrogation-selective criteriadifferent from another of the plurality of micro-transponder sets.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a system including an electromagnetic energy generation circuit thatelicits food-attribute data in response to electromagnetic energyinterrogation of at least one radio frequency identification tag carriedwithin a volume of a food product. In an embodiment, the system includesa food-attribute-identification circuit that compares elicitedfood-attribute data to food-attribute filtering data, and activates atleast one protocol associated with an adverse response to food. In anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit activates at leastone of an allergen alerting protocol, a food-attribute-identificationprotocol, or a code generation protocol based on the comparison. In anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit activates at leastone of a food metabolite content protocol, food metabolite responseprotocol, or a food metabolite alerting protocol.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a food utensil including at least one antenna configured to interrogateradio frequency identification tags in a volume of food product, and afood attribute interrogator controller operatively coupled to the atleast one antenna and configured to indicate the presence of one or moreinstances of data indicative of at least one food attribute.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method for monitoring food intake including receiving data from anadmixture of radio frequency identification tags and a food productinterrogated by a radio frequency interrogator, the data correspondingto one or more food attributes associated with the food product. In anembodiment, the method includes outputting an indication associated withone or more attributes of the food product based on a comparison betweenreceived data from the radio frequency identification tags and filteringinformation

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a food utensil including a body structure configured as a foodconsumption implement and at least one antenna embedded in, formed on,or intrinsic with the body structure. In an embodiment, the at least oneantenna is configured to interrogate one or more radio frequencyidentification tags within a volume of food product proximate the foodconsumption implement.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method for interrogating radio frequency identification tags includingirradiating an admixture of radio frequency identification tags and afood product with a first radio frequency of a character and for aduration sufficient to power a radio frequency identification tag. In anembodiment, the method for interrogating radio frequency identificationtags includes interrogating The admixture of radio frequencyidentification tags and the food product with a second radio frequencyof a character and for a duration sufficient to communicate with one ormore radio frequency identification tags within the interrogation field.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a system including a bistatic food-tag-interrogation circuit configuredto irradiate a volume of food product carrying a plurality of radiofrequency identification tags with a radio interrogation beam, and toelicit a response from at least a portion of the plurality of radiofrequency identification tags.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among other things,a method for monitoring food including decoding data elicited by radiofrequency interrogation of radio frequency identification tags within avolume of food product proximate a food consumption implement. In anembodiment, the method for monitoring food includes generating aresponse based on the data decoding. In an embodiment, the generatedresponse is indicative of the one or more food attributes associatedwith the volume of food product proximate the food consumptionimplement. In an embodiment, the generated response includes at leastone of a visual representation, an audio representation, a hapticrepresentation, or a tactile representation indicative of one or moreattributes or cumulative attributes associated with the volume of foodproduct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a method for making a radio frequencyidentification tag carried by food particles according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a method for interrogating a plurality ofmultiplex micro-transponders according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of a method for monitoring food intakeaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of a method for interrogating radiofrequency identification tags according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram of a method for monitoring food accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a flow diagram of a method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of a method for making a radio frequencyidentification tag to track food according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing an edibletransponder device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a flow diagram of a method for making a palatabletransponder according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a flow diagram of a method for making a palatabletransponder according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 including an palatable transponder device 52,in which one or more methodologies or technologies can be implementedsuch as, for example, manufacturing a palatable transponder device 52for admixing with a food product, manufacturing a palatable transponderdevice 52 that generates at least one of an expiration date, providesfood-attribute data, determines a food condition, mitigates a conditionsassociated with an adverse food response, alerts a user of an adverseevent associated with adverse food response, or the like. Non-limitingexamples of palatable transponder devices 52 include palatable radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags, palatable electronic tags,palatable Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled transponder devices,palatable receiver-transmitter devices, palatable transceiver devices,or the like. In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52includes a food-attribute-identification circuit 106 having one or morememory circuits 103 with food-attribute data 105 stored thereon.

In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 includes aninterrogation interface 108 operably coupled to thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 provides food-attribute data105 in response to interrogation of the interrogation interface 105. Inan embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 providesfood-attribute data 105 associated with a food product forming part ofan admixture of palatable transponder devices 52 and the food product.

Non-limiting examples of food-attribute data 105 includes one or more offood safety attribute data (e.g., contaminant data, drug residue data,food additive data, food-borne pathogen data, fumigation data, heavymetal content data, toxin content data, irradiation data, pesticidedata, physical hazards data, preservative content data, spoilage data,etc.); nutrition attribute data (e.g., calories data, carbohydratecontent data, cholesterol content data, fat content data, fiber contentdata, mineral content data, protein content data, sodium content data,vitamin content data, etc.); or the like. Further non-limiting examplesof food-attribute data 105 include storability data (e.g., keepabilitydata, compositional integrity data, expiration data, storage protocoldata, etc.); process attribute data (e.g., authenticity of process data,place of origin data, biotechnology data, biochemistry data, organiccertification data, environmental impact data, traceability data, workersafety data, etc.); or the like.

Further non-limiting examples of food-attribute data include dataassociated with adverse responses to food. Adverse responses to foodinclude food allergies, food intolerances, toxin-mediated reactions,pharmacological reactions, etc. In some cases, the adverse response isuncomfortable but not severe. In other cases, it can belife-threatening. Food allergy affects an estimated 6 to 8 percent ofchildren under age 5, and about 3 to 4 percent of adults. Food allergysymptoms usually develop within a few minutes to two hours after eatingthe offending food. Further non-limiting examples of food-attribute datainclude food attribute content data, food attribute level data, foodsafety attribute data, nutrition attribute data, storability data,process attribute data, advertising data, brand data, country of origindata, distributer data, manufacturer data, packaging data, warrantydata, or the like. Further non-limiting examples of food-attribute datainclude coupon data, rebate data, or sweepstake data, enterprisespecific data, or the like.

Non-limiting examples of food products known to cause allergic reactionsin people with food allergies include crustacean shellfish eggs, fish,milk, peanuts, proteins, soybeans, tree nuts (e.g., almonds, pecans,walnuts, etc.), wheat, or the like. Non-limiting examples of foodproducts known to cause adverse reactions include those having one ormore of citric acid, fructose, gluten, lactose, salicylate, sodiumphosphates, sucrose, or the like. Non-limiting examples of metabolitesin food products include carbohydrates (e.g., fructose, glucose,galactose, sucrose, starch, gluten, etc.), fats (e.g., fatty acids,etc.), lipids (e.g., glycerol, triglyceride, etc.), proteins (aminoacids, etc.), ammonia, or the like.

In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 is configured foradmixing with a food product. For example, in an embodiment, thepalatable transponder device 52 includes an encapsulant 54 having one ormore organoleptic attributes (e.g., appearance, aroma, color, softness,taste, texture, tenderness, or the like) that mimic the food product. Inan embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 includes one or moreorganoleptic attributes that reduces an ability of a person todiscriminate between the palatable transponder and a food product to beadmix with a plurality of palatable transponder devices 52. In anembodiment, an admixture of palatable transponder devices 52 and foodproduct includes a quantity of palatable transponder devices 52 that isproportional to a food attribute content amount. In an embodiment, anadmixture of palatable transponder devices 52 and food product includesa quantity of palatable transponder devices 52 whose collective responseupon interrogation is proportional to a food attribute amount. In anembodiment, an admixture of palatable transponder devices 52 and foodproduct includes a quantity of palatable transponder devices 52 whoseresponse upon interrogation is indicative of a food attribute amount.

In an embodiment, the encapsulant 54 includes at least one of a color,density, flavor, scent, or texture that reduces the ability of a personto discriminate between the palatable transponder device 52 and the foodproduct. For example, in an embodiment, the encapsulant 54 includes oneor more pigments that mimic a color associated with the food product. Inan embodiment, the encapsulant 54 includes one or more binders, fillers,gelling agents, plasticizers, stabilizers, suspending agents, orthickeners that mimic a density associated with the food product. In anembodiment, the encapsulant 54 includes one or more flavorants thatmimic a taste associated with the food product. In an embodiment, theencapsulant 54 includes one or more aromatizers that mimic a scentassociated with the food product. In an embodiment, the encapsulant 54includes one or more texturizers that mimic a texture associated withthe food product.

In an embodiment, the encapsulant 54 includes one or moresurface-finishing agents. In an embodiment, the encapsulant 54 includesan edible material. In an embodiment, the encapsulant 54 includes one ormore food particles associated with the food product. In an embodiment,the encapsulant 54 includes an elastomer that reduces human sensoryfeedback when the palatable transponder device 52 is in a human dentalocclusion. In an embodiment, the encapsulant 54 includes an elastomerconfigured to reduce human sensory feedback when the integrated circuitis in a human dental occlusion. In an embodiment, the encapsulant 54 ismanufactured to include chamfered or rounded edges having a profileconfigured to reduce an incidence rate of abrasion, cutting, or lodgingin the human digestive tract.

In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 includes an edibleinterrogation interface 108. For example, in an embodiment, thepalatable transponder device 52 includes at least one of an edibleantenna, an edible wire antenna, an antenna printed on an ediblesubstrate 104, or an antenna printed with edible conductive ink. In anembodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes an antenna disposedon a chewable substrate suitable for human consumption. In anembodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes an antenna having arigidity that is substantially the same as that of the food product. Inan embodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes an antennahaving a deformability that is substantially the same as that of thefood product.

In an embodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes an antennahaving a cross-section on the order of tens of micrometers. In anembodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes an antenna having across-section on the order of hundreds of micrometers. In an embodiment,the interrogation interface 108 includes an antenna having across-section ranging from about tens of micrometers to about hundredsof micrometers.

In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 is self-tuning.For example, in an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52includes one or more tunable transistors to self-correct for changes intemperature. In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52includes one or more tunable transistors to self-correct for dielectricchanges in an environment. In an embodiment, the palatable transponderdevice 52 is configured to self-tune to compensate for quality factor(Q-factor) changes of the interrogation interface 108 resulting fromadmixing the palatable transponder device 52 with the food product. Inan embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 is configured toself-tune to compensate for environmental effects. In an embodiment, thepalatable transponder device 52 is configured to self-tune to compensatefor encapsulant 54 material effects.

In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 includes a foodproduct status device 56 that monitors at least one status conditionassociated with the food product. In an embodiment, the food productstatus device 56 is operably coupled to at least one of thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 or the interrogation interface108. In an embodiment, the food product status device 56 includes atemperature sensor 58 for measuring a temperature associated with thefood product and at least one memory circuit 103 to store temperaturemeasurand information. In an embodiment, the food product status device56 is configured to provide temperature measurand information inresponse to interrogation of the interrogation interface 108. In anembodiment, the food product status device 56 is configured to provideone of a phase-locked response or a time-locked response indicative of afood-attribute in response to interrogation of the interrogationinterface.

In an embodiment, the food product status device 56 includes aprogrammable timing circuit 60 that generates food product time eventdata and at least one memory circuit 103 to store food product timeevent data. In an embodiment, the programmable timing circuit 60generates at least one of expiration date data, food product expirationdata, freshness date data, remaining shelf life data, suitable forconsumption date data, suitable for sale date data, suitable for saledate data, unsuitable for consumption date data, or unsuitable for saledate data. In an embodiment, the food product status device 56 isconfigured to provide food product time event data in response tointerrogation of the interrogation interface.

In an embodiment, the food product status device 56 is configured toprovide food product time event data when the food product time eventdata satisfies a target criterion. In an embodiment, the food productstatus device 56 is configured to provide food product time event datawhen the food product time event data meet or exceeds a target value. Inan embodiment, the food product status device 56 is configured toprovide food product time event data when the food product time eventdata meet or exceeds a target time interval.

In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 includes asubstrate 104 having one or more organoleptic attributes that mimic thefood product and including at least one of thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 or the interrogation interface108 disposed thereon, the substrate having one or more organolepticattributes that mimic the food product. For example, in an embodiment,the substrate 104 includes a material that mimics a color associatedwith the food product. In an embodiment, the substrate 104 includes amaterial that mimics density associated with the food product. In anembodiment, the substrate 104 includes a material that mimics a flavorassociated with the food product. In an embodiment, the substrate 104includes a material that mimics a scent associated with the food. In anembodiment, the substrate 104 includes a material that mimics a textureassociated with the food.

In an embodiment, the substrate 104 includes a material having at leastone of a color, density, flavor, scent, or texture that reduces theability of a person to discriminate between the palatable transponderdevice 52 and the food product. In an embodiment, the palatabletransponder device 52 includes a substrate having an integrated circuitand an interrogation interface 108 disposed thereon, the substratehaving one or more organoleptic attributes (e.g., appearance, aroma,color, softness, taste, texture, tenderness, or the like) that mimic afood product.

In an embodiment, the substrate 104 is manufactured to reduceinteractions with a human digestive tract. For example, in anembodiment, the substrate 104 is manufactured to include chamfered orrounded edges having a profile configured to reduce an incidence rate ofabrasion, cutting, or lodging in the human digestive tract. In anembodiment, the substrate 104 is manufactured to include chamfered orrounded edges having a profile configured to reduce an incidence rate ofabrasion, cutting, or lodging in the human digestive tract. In anembodiment, the substrate 104 includes an elastomer that reduces humansensory feedback when the palatable transponder device 52 is in a humandental occlusion. In an embodiment, the substrate 104 includes anelastomer configured to reduce human sensory feedback when theintegrated circuit is in a human dental occlusion.

In an embodiment, the substrate 104 includes one or more organolepticattributes that reduces an ability of a person to discriminate betweenthe palatable transponder and the food product. For example, in anembodiment, the substrate 104 includes one or more pigments that mimic acolor associated with the food product. In an embodiment, the substrate104 includes one or more binders, fillers, gelling agents, plasticizers,stabilizers, suspending agents, or thickeners that mimics a densityassociated with the food product. In an embodiment, the substrate 104includes one or more flavorants that mimic a flavor associated with thefood product. In an embodiment, the substrate 104 includes one or morearomatizers that mimic a scent associated with the food product. In anembodiment, the substrate 104 includes one or more texturizers thatmimic a texture associated with the food product.

In an embodiment, the substrate 104 includes one or moresurface-finishing agents. In an embodiment, the substrate 104 includesan edible material. In an embodiment, the substrate 104 includes one ormore food particles associated with the food product. In an embodiment,the substrate 104 comprises at least one of a color, density, flavor,scent, or texture that reduces the ability of a person to discriminatebetween the palatable transponder device 52 and the food product. In anembodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 includes an elastomericpackage in which the substrate is at least partially embedded. In anembodiment, the elastomeric package includes one or more materials thatreduce human sensory feedback when the palatable transponder device 52is in a human dental occlusion.

In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 includes asubstrate 104 carrying an integrated circuit manufactured to reduceinteractions with a human digestive tract. In an embodiment, thesubstrate 104 is manufactured to include chamfered or rounded edgeshaving a profile configured to reduce an incidence rate of abrasion,cutting, or lodging in the human digestive tract. In an embodiment, thesubstrate 104 is manufactured to include circuit materials that areadapted for human consumption. In an embodiment, the substrate 104 ismanufactured to include circuit materials having break-down productsthat are adapted for human consumption. In an embodiment, the substrate104 is manufactured to include an encapsulant 54 that reduces exposureof the substrate 104 and integrated circuit to the human digestive tractenvironment. In an embodiment, the substrate 104 includes a die from asubstrate wafer.

In an embodiment, the palatable transponder device 52 includes adelivery system including an edible carrier operatively coupled to thesubstrate and configured to deliver the substrate to the human digestivetract. In an embodiment, the edible carrier includes a food product.

In an embodiment, palatable resonate element includes an interrogationinterface 108 having a food-attribute specific. In an embodiment, thepalatable resonate element includes a resonant antenna having at leastone of a food-attribute-specific resonance frequency; afood-attribute-specific inductance, or a food-attribute-specificresistance associated therewith. In an embodiment, the palatableresonate element includes a resonant antenna having an electromagneticenergy selective interrogation interface that is responsive to anallergen-specific carrier waveform.

FIG. 2 shows a system 100 including an edible transponder device 102, inwhich one or more methodologies or technologies can be implemented suchas, for example, monitoring food intake, determining a food condition,mitigating conditions associated with an adverse food response, alertinga user of an adverse event associated with adverse food response, or thelike. Non-limiting examples of transponder devices 102 include radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags, electronic tags, Near FieldCommunication (NFC) enabled transponder devices, receiver-transmitterdevices, transceiver devices, or the like.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 includes an ediblesubstrate 104. In an embodiment, the edible substrate 104 includes oneor more of biodegradable films, edible adhesive polymers, thermoplasticpolyesters, water-soluble edible polymeric materials, food products 101,or the like. Further non-limiting examples of edible substrate materialsinclude sugar (e.g., caramelized sugar, etc.), celluloses, cerealproteins, maize, soy (e.g., soy proteins, soy fibers, soybeans,degradable soybean materials, etc.), starches, or the like. Furthernon-limiting examples of edible substrates 104 includes substratesfabricated with materials suitable for consumption that are capable ofhaving a circuit disposed on them. Further non-limiting examples ofedible substrates 104 include pet food products, snacks pieces, finishedfood products, livestock feed, or the like. In an embodiment, the ediblesubstrate 104 includes silica. In an embodiment, the edible substrate104 includes a biodegradable film. In an embodiment, the ediblesubstrate 104 includes a food product. In an embodiment, the ediblesubstrate 104 includes one or more Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)substances. See e.g., GRAS Notice Inventory(http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/ficnNavigation.cfm?rpt=grasListing).In an embodiment, the edible substrate 104 includespoly(L-lactid-co-glycolide). See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,873,122 (issuedJan. 18, 2011); which is incorporated herein by reference.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 includes afood-attribute-identification circuit 106 disposed on the ediblesubstrate 104. For example, in an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 is disposed on a silicasubstrate. In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit106 is printed on the edible substrate. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 is printed on the ediblesubstrate using edible conductive ink. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 is attached to the ediblesubstrate using an edible adhesive.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 includes afood-attribute-identification circuit 106 including one or more memorycircuits 103 that, for example, store instructions or data. Non-limitingexamples of one or more memory circuits 103 include volatile memory(e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM),or the like), non-volatile memory (e.g., Read-Only Memory (ROM),Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), CompactDisc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), or the like), persistent memory, or thelike. Further non-limiting examples of one or more memories includeErasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), flash memory, or thelike. The one or more memories can be coupled to, for example, one ormore computing devices 105 by one or more instructions, data, or powerbuses.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includesone or more memory circuits 103 having food-attribute data storedthereon. Non-limiting examples of food-attribute data include allergeninformation (e.g., allergen content, an allergen response protocol, anallergen alerting protocol, etc.) metabolite information (e.g., foodmetabolite data, food metabolite content, food metabolite responseprotocol, food metabolite alerting protocol, etc.), adverse responses tofood, or the like.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includesone or more memory circuits 103 having food-attribute data indicative ofan adverse response to food stored thereon. For example, in anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes oneor more memory circuits 103 having food-attribute data indicative of atleast one of an allergen content, an allergen response protocol, or anallergen alerting protocol stored thereon. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes one or more memorycircuits 103 having food-attribute data indicative of at least one of ametabolite content, a metabolite response protocol, or a metabolitealerting protocol stored thereon.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includesprogrammable storage having food-attribute data stored thereon. Forexample, in an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106includes at least one programmable memory circuit 107 havingfood-attribute data indicative of at least one of an allergen content,an allergen response protocol, an allergen alerting protocol, ametabolite content, a metabolite response protocol, or a metabolitealerting protocol stored thereon. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes a logic controlcircuit that generates a response indicative of at least one of anallergen content, an allergen response protocol, an allergen alertingprotocol, a metabolite content, a metabolite response protocol, or ametabolite alerting protocol in response to interrogation of the firstinterrogation interface. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes at least oneread-only memory circuit having food-attribute data stored thereon.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includesone or more physical data having food-attribute data stored thereon. Inan embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includesfood source data (e.g., eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soybeans,tree nuts, wheat, etc.). In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes allergic reactionsymptom data.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includescircuitry having one or more components operably coupled (e.g.,communicatively, electromagnetically, magnetically, ultrasonically,optically, inductively, electrically, capacitively coupled, or the like)to each other. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more remotelylocated components. In an embodiment, remotely located components areoperably coupled via wireless communication. In an embodiment, remotelylocated components are operably coupled via one or more receivers,transmitters, transceivers, or the like.

In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things, one or morecomputing devices such as a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), acentral processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA), or the like, or any combinations thereof, and caninclude discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, orcombinations thereof. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or moreASICs having a plurality of predefined logic components. In anembodiment, circuitry includes one or more FPGA having a plurality ofprogrammable logic components.

In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more memory circuits 103that, for example, store instructions or data. Non-limiting examples ofone or more memory circuits 103 include volatile memory (e.g., RandomAccess Memory (RAM) 136, Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), or thelike), non-volatile memory (e.g., Read-Only Memory (ROM), ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Compact Disc Read-OnlyMemory (CD-ROM), or the like), persistent memory, or the like. Furthernon-limiting examples of one or more memory circuits 103 includeErasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), flash memory, or thelike. The one or more memory circuits 103 can be coupled to, forexample, one or more computing devices by one or more instructions,data, or power buses.

In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more computer-readable mediadrives, interface sockets, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, memory cardslots, or the like, and one or more input/output components such as, forexample, a graphical user interface, a display, a keyboard, a keypad, atrackball, a joystick, a touch-screen, a mouse, a switch, a dial, or thelike, and any other peripheral device. In an embodiment, circuitryincludes one or more user input/output components that are operablycoupled to at least one computing device to control (electrical,electromechanical, software-implemented, firmware-implemented, or othercontrol, or combinations thereof) at least one parameter associatedwith, for example, generating a response indicative of at least one ofan allergen content, an allergen response protocol, an allergen alertingprotocol, a metabolite content, a metabolite response protocol, or ametabolite alerting protocol in response to interrogation of aninterrogation interface 108 of the edible transponder device 102.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includesone or more memory circuits 103 having structured data indicative of afood-attribute stored thereon. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes one or more memorycircuits 103 having structured data indicative of one or more protocolsassociated with an adverse response to food. For example, in anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes oneor more memory circuits 103 having structured data indicative of atleast one of an allergen content, an allergen response protocol, or anallergen alerting protocol. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes a logic controlcircuit. In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106includes a power generation and management circuit. In an embodiment,the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes a demodulatorcircuit. In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106a modulator circuit. In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identificationcircuit 106 an envelope detector circuit.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 and thefirst interrogation interface 110 form part of an integrated circuitdie. In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 andthe first interrogation interface 110 form part of an integrated circuitdie having a major dimension of less than about 0.5 millimeters. In anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 and the firstinterrogation interface 110 form part of an integrated circuit diehaving a major dimension of less than about 0.4 millimeters. In anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 and the firstinterrogation interface 110 form part of an integrated circuit diehaving a major dimension of less than about 0.1 millimeters. In anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 and the firstinterrogation interface 110 form part of an integrated circuit diehaving a volume ranging from about 0.01 cm³ to about 1 cm³. In anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 and the firstinterrogation interface 110 form part of an integrated circuit die areaor a volume no larger than that of food particle forming part of anadmixture of food product and edible transponder devices 102.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 includes at leastone interrogation interface 108. For example, in an embodiment, edibletransponder device 102 includes an antenna. In an embodiment, the edibletransponder device 102 includes at least one bistatic antenna. In anembodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes one or moreconductive traces (e.g., antenna coils). In an embodiment, the edibletransponder device 102 includes a first interrogation interface 110operably coupled to the food-attribute-identification circuit 106. In anembodiment, the first interrogation interface 110 is responsive toelectromagnetic energy interrogation. For example, in an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 provides food-attribute datain response to interrogation of the first interrogation interface 110.In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 isoperably coupled to the first interrogation interface 110 via at leastone interconnect.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 includes at leastone interrogation interface 108 that is operable to transferredfood-attribute data and an interrogator (e.g., reader, transceiver,etc.). For example, in an embodiment, food-attribute data is transferredbetween the edible transponder device 102 and a reader via low-powerradio frequency waves. In an embodiment, during operation, a transceiversends a signal to the edible transponder device 102, causing thetransponder device 102 to transmit its information to the transceiver.The transceiver then reads the signal, converts it to a digital format,and transmits it to a designated application such as a user-specificresponse system (e.g., emergency response system, an alert system,etc.).

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106communicates with an interrogator device via the interrogation interface108. In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106toggles between a transmit state and a receive state uponelectromagnetic energy interrogation. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 receives food-attribute datavia the interrogation interface 108. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 and the interrogationinterface 108 are adapted to emit electromagnetic energy in the radiofrequency range.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106communicates with an interrogator device via the interrogation interface108 upon receipt of an authorization key. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 communicates with aninterrogator device via the interrogation interface 108 upon receipt ofan enterprise authorization key. In an embodiment, the edibletransponder device 102 toggles between a transmit state and a receivestate upon receipt of an authorization key. In an embodiment, the edibletransponder device 102 toggles between a transmit state and a receivestate upon receipt of an enterprise authorization key.

In an embodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes an antennathat is responsive based on an allergen-specific criterion. For example,in an embodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes an antennathat response to electromagnetic energy interrogation having a waveformthat corresponds to an allergen-specific assignment. In an embodiment,the interrogation interface 108 includes a carrier waveform selectiveinterrogation interface. In an embodiment, the interrogation interface108 includes a frequency selective interrogation interface. In anembodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes an electromagneticenergy selective interrogation interface. In an embodiment, theinterrogation interface 108 is responsive to an allergen-specificcarrier waveform. In an embodiment, the interrogation interface 108 isresponsive to an allergen-specific frequency. In an embodiment, theinterrogation interface 108 is responsive based on a messageauthentication protocol. In an embodiment, a major dimension of theedible transponder device 102 is less than about 0.5 millimeters. In anembodiment, a major dimension of the edible transponder device 102 isless than about 0.4 millimeters.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 includes a secondinterrogation interface 112. In an embodiment, the second interrogationinterface 112 includes an external antenna. In an embodiment, the secondinterrogation interface 112 includes an external antenna disposed on theedible substrate 104.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 takes the form of anactive radio frequency identification tag. In an embodiment, the edibletransponder device 102 takes the form of a semi-passive radio frequencyidentification tag. In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102takes the form of a passive radio frequency identification tag. In anembodiment, the edible transponder device 102 the form of an active,carrier-wave-selective, radio frequency identification tag. In anembodiment, the edible transponder device 102 takes the form of asemi-passive, carrier-wave-selective, radio frequency identificationtag. In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 takes the formof a passive, carrier-wave-selective, radio frequency identificationtag.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 takes the form of aradio frequency identification tag 114 including afood-attribute-identification circuit 106 and at least one interrogationinterface 108 disposed (e.g., printed, affixed, etc.) on an ediblesubstrate 104. In an embodiment, the radio frequency identification tag114 includes a food-attribute-identification circuit 106; and at leastone interrogation interface 108 operably coupled to thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 and disposed on the ediblesubstrate 104.

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the radio frequencyidentification tag 114 includes an edible covering. In an embodiment, atleast a portion of the radio frequency identification tag 114 isencapsulated within a food product. In an embodiment, the interrogationinterface 108 transmits food-attribute data upon electromagnetic energyinterrogation. In an embodiment, radio frequency identification tag 114toggles between a transmit state and a receive state uponelectromagnetic energy interrogation.

In an embodiment, a radio frequency identification tag 114, includes anintegrated circuit die having a food-attribute-identification circuit106 and an interrogation interface 108 thereon. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 on the integrated circuit dieincludes one or more memory circuits 103 having food-attribute datastored thereon.

In an embodiment, the radio frequency identification tag 114 includes aresonant antenna formed on the integrated circuit die and operativelycoupled to the interrogation interface 108. In an embodiment, theresonant antenna has at least one of a food-attribute-specific resonancefrequency; a food-attribute-specific inductance, or afood-attribute-specific resistance associated therewith. In anembodiment, the resonant antenna has at least one of a resonancefrequency, inductance, or resistance that varies when exposed to a foodhandling condition. In an embodiment, the interrogation interface 108 onthe integrated circuit die is operably coupled to a resonant antennaformed on the integrated circuit die. In an embodiment, the resonantantenna has a Quality factor (Q-factor) ranging from about 10 to about1000.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 takes the form of aradio frequency identification tag 114 including an antenna configuredfor sensitivity at a frequency range that is a function of an adjacentfood permittivity. In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102takes the form of a radio frequency identification tag 114 including anantenna configured to self-compensate for edible substrates 104 havingdifferent dielectric constants. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,754(issued Jun. 6, 2006); which is incorporated herein by reference.

In an embodiment, the radio frequency identification tag 114 includes anantenna tuning circuit coupled to the resonant antenna and a logiccircuit operatively coupled to the tuning circuit. In an embodiment, thelogic circuit is configured to switch at least one of inductance orresistance of the tuning circuit. In an embodiment, the radio frequencyidentification tag 114 includes an interrogation interface 108configured to receive a command for the logic circuit to switch one ormore of the inductance or resistance of the tuning circuit. In anembodiment, a passive radio frequency identification tag includes afirst antenna interface operable to draw power from an interrogationfield; and a second antenna interface operable to cause backscatter orforward scatter. In an embodiment, a logic and memory circuit isoperatively coupled to draw power from the first antenna interface andcommunicate across the second antenna interface.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 includes a substratecoupled to an integrated circuit having an interrogation interface 108.In an embodiment, the substrate includes a material having an attributethat reduces the ability of a person to discriminate between the edibletransponder and a food product. For example, in an embodiment, thesubstrate includes an elastomeric package including one or morematerials that reduce human sensory feedback when the edible transponderis in a human dental occlusion. In an embodiment, the substrate includesan elastomeric package, in which the integrated circuit is at leastpartially embedded. In an embodiment, the substrate includes a materialhaving an attribute that reduces the ability of a person to visuallydiscriminate between edible transponder device 102 and the food product.For example, in an embodiment, the substrate includes a material havingcolor, texture, etc., that reduces the ability of a person to visuallydiscriminate between the edible transponder device 102 and the foodproduct.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 includes a substratecarrying an integrated circuit manufactured to reduce interactions witha human digestive tract. In an embodiment, the substrate is manufacturedto include chamfered or rounded edges having a profile configured toreduce an incidence rate of abrasion, cutting, or lodging in the humandigestive tract. In an embodiment, the substrate is manufactured toinclude circuit materials that are adapted for human consumption or tohave break-down products that are adapted for human consumption. In anembodiment, the substrate is manufactured to include an encapsulant 54that reduces or eliminates exposure of the substrate and integratedcircuit to the human digestive tract environment. In an embodiment, thesubstrate includes a die from a substrate wafer.

In an embodiment, the edible transponder device 102 includes a deliverysystem including an edible carrier operatively coupled to the substrateand configured to deliver the substrate holding the integrated circuitto the human digestive tract. In an embodiment, the edible carrierincludes an antenna substrate. In an embodiment, the edible carrierincludes a food product.

In an embodiment, an edible resonate element includes an interrogationinterface 108 having a food-attribute specific. In an embodiment, theedible resonate element includes a resonant antenna having at least oneof a food-attribute-specific resonance frequency; afood-attribute-specific inductance, or a food-attribute-specificresistance associated therewith. In an embodiment, the edible resonateelement includes a resonant antenna having an electromagnetic energyselective interrogation interface that is responsive to anallergen-specific carrier waveform.

In an embodiment, a radio frequency identification tag is configured totrack food handling or consumption. For example, in an embodiment, aradio frequency identification tag configured to track a food handlingor consumption includes an interrogation interface 108, and afood-attribute-identification circuit 106 including a memory arrayhaving one or more data elements associated with a food attribute. In anembodiment, the one or more data elements include a make or breakconductive coupling that breaks contact responsive to exposure to one ormore food handling, preparation, or consumption conditions. In anembodiment, the make or break conductive coupling includes one or moreconductors that open conductive paths responsive to exposure to one ormore food handling, preparation, or consumption conditions. In anembodiment, the make or break conductive coupling includes a conductivepath having open configuration before exposure to food handling,preparation, or consumption, and closed configuration during or afterfood handling, preparation, or consumption. In an embodiment, the makeor break conductive coupling includes one or more pairs of conductivepads, the conductive path configured to close a circuit between therespective one or more pairs of conductive pads responsive to exposureto one or more food handling, preparation, or consumption conditions.

In an embodiment, the radio frequency identification tag includes afood-attribute-identification circuit 106 and a decomposableinterrogation interface. In an embodiment, the decomposableinterrogation interface includes one or more portions, components,materials, etc., that decompose in response to exposure to a foodhandling, preparation, or consumption condition. For example, in anembodiment, at least a portion of the decomposable interrogationinterface is disposed on a thermally degradable polymer substrate thatdecomposes in response to exposure to a cooking temperature environment.In an embodiment, at least a portion of the decomposable interrogationinterface is disposed on a degradable fiber-based substrate (e.g.,paper, etc.). In an embodiment, at least a portion of the decomposableinterrogation interface is disposed on a water-soluble polymersubstrate.

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the decomposable interrogationinterface is disposed on a soy-based material substrate. In anembodiment, at least a portion of the decomposable interrogationinterface is disposed on a protein-based material substrate. In anembodiment, at least a portion of the decomposable interrogationinterface is affixed to a substrate with a degradable adhesive.

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the decomposable interrogationinterface is disposed on a substrate that is controllably degradablewhen exposed to appropriate conditions. For example, in an embodiment,at least a portion of the decomposable interrogation interface isdisposed on at least one of a bio-degradable substrate, achemically-degradable substrate, photo-degradable substrate, orthermally degradable substrate. In an embodiment, at least a portion ofthe decomposable interrogation interface is disposed on a substrate thatdegrades upon exposure to degradation-selective radiation. In anembodiment, at least a portion of the decomposable interrogationinterface is disposed on a substrate having one or more bio-, photo-, orthermal-oxidative degradation promoters. In an embodiment, at least aportion of the decomposable interrogation interface is disposed on asubstrate including one more biodegradable, photodegradable, orthermal-oxidative degradable additives. In an embodiment, at least aportion of the decomposable interrogation interface is disposed on asubstrate including Poly-γ-glutamic acid. In an embodiment, at least aportion of the decomposable interrogation interface is disposed on asubstrate including one or more polymers dissolvable in bodily fluids.

In an embodiment, a radio frequency identification tag configured totrack food handling or consumption includes a radio frequency interfacea memory array having one or more data elements having a make or breakconductive coupling that change state responsive to exposure to one ormore food handling, preparation, or consumption conditions. For example,in an embodiment, the radio frequency identification tag includes amemory array having one or more data elements having a make or breakconductive coupling that degrades via a thermal-oxidative mechanism whenexposed to cooking temperatures.

In an embodiment, the make or break conductive coupling includes aconductor configured to make contact before exposure to food handling orconsumption, and break contact during or after the food handling,preparation, or consumption. In an embodiment, the make or breakconductive coupling includes one or more conductors that are configuredto open a conductive path responsive to exposure to one or more foodhandling, preparation, or consumption conditions. In an embodiment, themake or break conductive coupling includes one or more conductors thatare configured to decompose responsive to exposure to food handling,preparation, or consumption condition. In an embodiment, the make orbreak conductive coupling includes a conductive path that is open beforeexposure to food handling, preparation, or consumption, and is closedduring or after food handling, preparation, or consumption.

In an embodiment, a radio frequency identification tag configured totrack food includes an integrated circuit including an interrogationinterface 108 and a substrate bonded to the integrated circuit. In anembodiment, the substrate is configured to change state during a foodhandling, preparation, or consumption condition.

In an embodiment, a radio frequency identification tag 114 includes aradio frequency identification tag circuit carried by a substrate thatdecomposes in a use environment. For example, in an embodiment, one orboth of the substrate or a portion of the circuit is configured toerode, dissolve, or chemically react with a use environment to producedecomposition products. In an embodiment, at least a portion of theradio frequency identification tag 114 is disposed on one or morebio-degradable substrates, chemically-degradable substrates,photo-degradable substrates, or thermally degradable substrates.

In an embodiment, a radio frequency identification tag 114 includes anantenna having portions configured for enabling the tag to beselectively modified to adjust the receiver sensitivity of the radiofrequency identification tag. In an embodiment, the receiver isinitially sensitive to radio frequency signals transmitted at a firstdistance from the radio frequency identification tag and after anadjustment by modifying the portions configured to be modified, thereceiver is sensitive to radio frequency signals transmitted at a seconddistance from the radio frequency identification tag that is less thanone half the first distance.

In an embodiment, the radio frequency identification tag 114 includes anantenna electrically coupled to a radio frequency transceiver integratedcircuit. In an embodiment, the radio frequency transceiver integratedcircuit is disposed on an edible substrate 104. In an embodiment, theintegrated circuit includes programmable storage adapted for storing aunique identification code. In an embodiment, a radio frequencyidentification tag 114 includes at least one antenna for receiving andtransmitting radio frequency signals.

In an embodiment, a system for determining a food condition includes anantenna, a transceiver including a decoder, and an edible transponderdevice 102. In an embodiment, a system for determining a food conditionincludes a radio frequency interrogator configured to interrogate one ormore radio frequency identification tags 114 carried by food and acontroller operatively coupled to the radio frequency interrogator. Inan embodiment, the controller is configured to decode data from the oneor more radio frequency identification tags 114 and to determine one ormore food conditions corresponding to the data.

In an embodiment, a multiplex food-attribute-identification transpondersystem includes a plurality of micro-transponder sets. In an embodiment,each micro-transponder set includes at least one micro-transponderhaving a food-attribute-identification circuit 106 including at leastone physical data structure having food-attribute data stored thereon.In an embodiment, at least one micro-transponder set of the plurality ofmicro-transponder sets includes an interrogation-selective criteriadifferent from another of the plurality of micro-transponder sets. Forexample, in an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106determines a response state of the plurality of micro-transponder setsat two or more interrogation frequencies.

In an embodiment, the plurality of micro-transponder sets include atleast a first micro-transponder set and a second micro-transponder set.In an embodiment, the first micro-transponder set including afood-attribute-identification circuit 106 having food-attribute dataassociated with a first ingredient, and the second micro-transponder setincluding a food-attribute-identification circuit includingfood-attribute data associated with a second ingredient.

In an embodiment, each micro-transponder set includes one or moreinterrogation-selective interfaces operably coupled to respectivefood-attribute-identification circuits 106. In an embodiment, theinterrogation-selective interface includes at least one of anelectromagnetic energy selective antenna, a frequency selective antenna,or a carrier waveform selective interrogation interface. In anembodiment, the interrogation-selective interface operable to providefood-attribute data in response to electromagnetic interrogation of theinterrogation-selective interface that satisfies interrogation-selectivecriteria. For example, in an embodiment, the interrogation-selectiveinterface provides an electromagnetic signal corresponding to a distinctfood-attribute upon interrogation. In an embodiment, theinterrogation-selective interface provides an electromagnetic energysignal corresponding to an allergen-specific multi-bit code uponinterrogation. In an embodiment, the interrogation-selective criteriainclude a food-attribute-specific frequency. In an embodiment, theinterrogation-selective criteria include a food-attribute-specificcarrier waveform. In an embodiment, the interrogation-selective criteriainclude at least one of an allergen-specific frequency or anallergen-specific carrier waveform. In an embodiment, theinterrogation-selective interrogation interface 108 generates a responsesignal corresponding to allergen-specific data responsive tointerrogation of the interrogation interface 108 that satisfies theresponse-selective criteria.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, in an embodiment, a food utensil 202(e.g., a food container, food preparation utensils, food storageapparatuses, kitchenware, cookware, food preparation apparatuses, foodprocessors, cooking implements, cooking utensils, etc.) includes atleast one interrogation interface 204 (e.g., an antenna, etc.)configured to interrogate radio frequency identification tags 114 in avolume of food product. In an embodiment, a food utensil 202 includes abody structure that is substantially transparent to electromagneticenergy in the radio frequency range.

In an embodiment, a food utensil 202 includes a food attributeinterrogator controller 206 operatively coupled to the at least oneinterrogation interface 204 and is configured to indicate the presenceof one or more instances of data indicative of at least one foodattribute. In an embodiment, the at least one interrogation interface204 is operable to deliver a time-division multiplex stimulus. In anembodiment, the at least one interrogation interface 204 is operable todeliver a space-division multiplex stimulus. In an embodiment, the atleast one interrogation interface 204 is operable to deliver acode-division multiple access stimulus. In an embodiment, the at leastone interrogation interface 204 is operable to deliver anelectromagnetic energy stimulus associated with afood-attribute-specific frequency. In an embodiment, the at least oneinterrogation interface 204 is operable to deliver an electromagneticenergy stimulus associated with a food-attribute-specific carrierwaveform. In an embodiment, the at least one interrogation interface 204is operable to deliver an electromagnetic energy stimulus associatedwith at least one of an allergen-specific frequency or anallergen-specific carrier waveform.

In an embodiment, the food attribute interrogator controller 206 isoperable to actuate at least one of a visual representation, an audiorepresentation, a haptic representation, or a tactile representationindicative of the presence of one or more instances of data indicativeof at least one food attribute. In an embodiment, the food attributeinterrogator controller 206 is operable to a indicate the presence ofone or more instances of data indicative of at least one food attribute,via an electromagnetic energy signal, to a remote display. In anembodiment, the food attribute interrogator controller 206 is operableto actuate a remote display, via an electromagnetic energy signal.

In an embodiment, the at least one interrogation interface 204 isoperable to deliver an electromagnetic energy stimulus of a characterand for a duration sufficient to elicit food-attribute-specific dataupon interrogation of one or more radio frequency identification tags114 in the volume of food product. In an embodiment, the at least oneinterrogation interface 204 is operable to deliver an electromagneticenergy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to elicitallergen-specific data upon interrogation of the radio frequencyidentification tags 114 in the volume of food product.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute interrogator controller 206 formspart of a food preparation utensil. In an embodiment, the food-attributeinterrogator controller 206 forms part of a food storage utensil. In anembodiment, a food utensil 202 includes a body structure configured as afood consumption implement and at least one antenna embedded in, formedon, or intrinsic with the body structure. In an embodiment, the at leastone antenna is operatively coupled to at least one radio frequencyidentification tag within a volume of food product proximate the foodconsumption implement. In an embodiment, the food utensil 202 includes afood-attribute-determination circuit 208 including a memory circuithaving reference food-attribute determination data stored thereon. In anembodiment, the food-attribute-determination circuit 208 is operablycoupled to the at least one antenna via one or more interconnects.

In an embodiment, a system 200 includes a food-tag-interrogation circuit210 configured to irradiate a volume of food product carrying aplurality of radio frequency identification tags 114 with a radiointerrogation beam and to elicit a forward scattered modulated responsefrom at least a portion of the plurality of radio frequencyidentification tags 114. In an embodiment, the system 200 includes afood-tag identification circuit 212 configured to measure aforward-scattered modulated response of the plurality of radio frequencyidentification tags 114. In an embodiment, the food-tag identificationcircuit 212 includes a computing device and is configured to decode datafrom the radio frequency identification tags 114 and to determine one ormore food conditions corresponding to the decoded data.

In an embodiment, the system 200 includes an electromagnetic energygeneration circuit 216 (e.g., radio frequency generation circuit,electromagnetic energy generation circuit, etc.). In an embodiment, theelectromagnetic energy generation circuit 216 elicits food-attributedata in response to electromagnetic energy interrogation of at least onetransponder (e.g., radio frequency identification tag, edibletransponder device, etc.) carried within a volume of a food product. Inan embodiment, the electromagnetic energy generation circuit 216includes a food-attribute-identification circuit 106. In an embodiment,food-attribute-identification circuit 106 compares elicitedfood-attribute data to food-attribute filtering data, and activates atleast one of an allergen alerting protocol, afood-attribute-identification protocol, or a code generation protocolbased on the comparison. In an embodiment, the food-attribute filteringdata includes data associated with an adverse response to food. In anembodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes acomputing device configured to generate an output associated with anindication regarding one or more attributes of the volume of foodproduct based on the comparison.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute filtering data includes referenceallergen data, reference food-attribute data, user-specific allergenalert data, or user-specific allergen response data. In an embodiment,the food-attribute filtering data includes reference food metabolitecontent data, reference food metabolite response data, or reference foodmetabolite alerting data. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic energygeneration circuit 216 includes at least one of an amplitude modulationcommunication module, a code-division multiple access communicationmodule, a direct-sequence ultra-wideband communication module, afrequency division multiple access communication module, a frequencymodulation communication module, a multi-band orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing-based ultra-wideband communicationmodule, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access communicationmodule, a time division multiple access communication module, anultra-wideband communication module, or the like.

In an embodiment, an apparatus for disabling radio frequencyidentification tags 114 includes a radio frequency interrogatorconfigured to probe for radio frequency identification tags 114 and acleaning solution dispenser operatively coupled to the radio frequencyinterrogator and configured to dispense a cleaning solution disables atleast a portion of radio frequency identification tags 114 found by theradio frequency interrogator. In an embodiment, an apparatus fordisabling radio frequency identification tags 114 includes a cleaningapparatus including at least one of an electromagnetic field generatoror a sonic generator. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic fieldgenerator or the sonic generator is operable to deliver anelectromagnetic field stimulus or a sonic stimulus, respectively, of acharacter and for a duration sufficient to disable a substantial portionof a plurality of radio frequency identification tags 114 forming partof a food composition.

In an embodiment, an admixture of transponder devices and a food productincludes a quantity of food product (e.g., food, food precursor, petfood products, snacks pieces, finished food products, livestock feed, orthe like), and a plurality of edible transponder devices 102. In anembodiment, an admixture includes a quantity of food product and aplurality of radio frequency identification tags 114. In an embodiment,each of the plurality of radio frequency identification tags 114includes an interrogation interface 108, and afood-attribute-identification circuit 106 operably coupled to theinterrogation interface 108.

In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit 106 isdisposed on the edible substrate and includes one or more memorycircuits 103 having food-attribute data associated with the food productstored thereon. In an embodiment, the quantity of food product includesa quantity of food or a quantity of food precursor. In an embodiment,the quantity of food product includes one or more Generally RecognizedAs Safe (GRAS) substances.

In an embodiment, the plurality of radio frequency identification tags114 are configured to provide food-attribute data in response toelectromagnetic energy interrogation. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute data include data corresponding to at least one of dataassociated with an adverse response to food, an allergen content, anallergen response protocol, or an allergen alerting protocol. In anembodiment, the food-attribute data include allergen-specific multi-bitcodes. In an embodiment, the food-attribute data include an envelopemessage encrypted with a food-attribute-specific key. In an embodiment,the food-attribute data include at least one of a data envelope encodingan industry-recognized data identifier or an application identifiercorresponding to the food-attribute data. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute data include a plurality of data identifiers orapplication identifiers corresponding to a food attribute associatedwith the food product.

In an embodiment, a food product includes a quantity of food product anda quantity of radio frequency identification tags 114 in a stochasticdistribution within the quantity of food product. In an embodiment, eachradio frequency identification tag includes afood-attribute-identification circuit 106 having food-attribute datastored on one or more memory circuits 103. In an embodiment, thequantity of radio frequency identification tags 114 includes a number ofradio frequency identification tags 114 sufficient to provide aprobability of detection in the quantity of food product. In anembodiment, the quantity of radio frequency identification tags 114 andthe quantity of food product are of a quantity sufficient to provide aprobability of detection sufficient to cause a reading system to readdata from instances of the radio frequency identification tags 114having a cumulative value about equal to an attribute (e.g., intrinsicattribute, extrinsic attribute) of the quantity of food product. In anembodiment, the radio frequency identification tags 114 include aproperty or structure that maintains the stochastic distribution withinthe quantity of food product during one or more of food conveyance,handling, storage, cooking, or consumption (e.g., eating, digesting,elimination, disposal, etc.). In an embodiment, the quantity of radiofrequency identification tags includes a number that is proportional toa food attribute content.

In an embodiment, an admixture of transponder devices and a food productincludes a quantity of food product and a plurality of plurality ofpalatable transponders 52. In an embodiment, each of the plurality ofpalatable transponders 52 includes a substrate 104 carrying anintegrated circuit manufactured to reduce interactions with a humandigestive tract. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of palatabletransponders 52 includes an encapsulant 54 including a material havingan attribute that reduces an ability of a person to discriminate betweena palatable transponder and a food product.

In an embodiment, an attribute-identifying food product includes aquantity of food product and a plurality of radio frequencyidentification tags 114. In an embodiment, each of the plurality ofradio frequency identification tags 114 includes afood-attribute-identification circuit having one or more physical datastructures having food-attribute data indicative of at least one foodattribute stored thereon, and an interrogation-selective interfaceoperably coupled to the food-attribute-identification circuit 106. In anembodiment, the interrogation-selective interface is responsive tointerrogation by an electromagnetic energy stimulus associated with afood-attribute-specific frequency. For example, in an embodiment, theinterrogation-selective interface is responsive to interrogation by anelectromagnetic energy stimulus associated with afood-attribute-specific carrier waveform. In an embodiment, theinterrogation-selective interface is responsive to at least one of anallergen-specific frequency, or an allergen-specific carrier waveform.In an embodiment, the interrogation-selective interface generates aresponse signal corresponding to allergen-specific data responsive tointerrogation of the interrogation-selective interface that satisfiesresponse-selective criteria.

In an embodiment, the interrogation interface 108 includes one or moreconductive traces disposed on an edible substrate 104. In an embodiment,the one or more physical data structures include food-attribute dataindicative of an allergen content. In an embodiment, the one or morephysical data structures include food-attribute data indicative of anallergen response protocol. In an embodiment, the one or more physicaldata structures include food-attribute data indicative of an allergenalerting protocol. In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identificationcircuit 106 alternates between a food-attribute data transmit state anda non-transmit state in response to electromagnetic interrogation of theinterrogation-selective interface that satisfies interrogation-selectivecriteria. In an embodiment, the food-attribute-identification circuit106 includes an integrated circuit that modulates and demodulates aradio-frequency interrogation stimulus according to anallergen-selective criterion.

In an embodiment, a food product includes a plurality of food particlesand at least one food-attribute-identification circuit 106 including aninterrogation interface 108. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 includes food-attribute datastored on one or more memory circuits 103. In an embodiment, thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106 is coupled to one or more ofthe plurality of food particles.

In an embodiment, an admixture of radio frequency identification tags114 and a food product includes a quantity of food product and aplurality of micro-transponder sets. In an embodiment, at least one ofthe plurality of micro-transponder sets includes aninterrogation-selective criteria different from another of the pluralityof micro-transponder sets. For example, in an embodiment, eachmicro-transponder set includes at least one micro-transponder having afood-attribute-identification circuit 106 including at least onephysical data structure having food-attribute data stored thereon, andan interrogation-selective interface operably coupled to thefood-attribute-identification circuit 106. In an embodiment, theinterrogation-selective interface is operable to provide food-attributedata in response to electromagnetic interrogation of theinterrogation-selective interface that satisfies interrogation-selectivecriteria.

In an embodiment, a system 300 includes an apparatus 302 for embeddingradio frequency identification tags 114 in a food product. In anembodiment, an apparatus 302 for embedding radio frequencyidentification tags 114 in a food product includes a data source 304configured to provide data corresponding to a food attribute of a foodproduct and a tag-count controller 306 configured to determine at leastan approximate number of radio frequency identification tags 114 forinsertion into the food product based on a measured food productattribute. In an embodiment, the food attribute includes a quantity(e.g., weight, volume, etc.) associated with the food product. In anembodiment, the food attribute includes an intrinsic or extrinsicattribute associated with the food product. In an embodiment, anapparatus 302 for embedding radio frequency identification tags 114 in afood product includes an actuator 308 operatively coupled to thetag-count controller 306 and configured to cause the insertion of the atleast approximate number of radio frequency identification tags 114 intothe food product.

In an embodiment, the approximate number of tags is a number sufficientto provide a probability of detection of at least one tag in a unitweight or volume of the food product. In an embodiment, the approximatenumber of tags is a number sufficient to provide a probability ofdetection through one or more food product dispensing actions. In anembodiment, the number of tags is a number sufficient to provide aprobability of detection through two or more food product dispensingactions. In an embodiment, the approximate number of tags is a numbersufficient to provide a probability of unique tag detectioncorresponding to the extrinsic food attribute. In an embodiment, theinsertion of the at least approximate number of radio frequencyidentification tags 114 into the food product is determined based on aradio frequency identification tag antenna sensitivity or radiationpattern associated with the radio frequency identification tags 114 forinsertion.

In an embodiment, the data source 304 includes a sensor component thatmeasures one or more food attributes associated with the food product.In an embodiment, the data source 304 includes a flow meter or aspectrometer. In an embodiment, the data source 304 includes one or moresensors that detect at least one allergen profile of the food product.In an embodiment, the data source 304 includes a sensor component havingone or more sensors that measure an intrinsic food attribute of the foodproduct. In an embodiment, the data source 304 includes a food producthandling controller.

In an embodiment, the actuator 308 is a portion of a food productharvesting apparatus, a food product refining apparatus, a food producttransport apparatus, a food product forming apparatus, a food productcooking apparatus, or a food product packaging apparatus. In anembodiment, the actuator 308 is configured to dispense the radiofrequency identification tags 114 into a continuous flow orpseudo-continuous flow of the food product.

In an embodiment, an apparatus 302 for embedding radio frequencyidentification tags 114 in a food product includes a sensor componentand a tag-count controller 306. In an embodiment, the sensor componentincludes one or more sensors that measure a food attribute of a foodproduct. In an embodiment, the tag-count controller 306 is configured todetermine at least an approximate number of radio frequencyidentification tags 114 for insertion into the food product based on ameasured food attribute.

In an embodiment, the apparatus for embedding radio frequencyidentification tags 114 in a food product includes an actuator 308operatively coupled to the tag-count controller 306 and configured tocause the insertion of the at least approximate number of radiofrequency identification tags 114 into the food product. In anembodiment, a system for mixing radio frequency identification tags 114includes a dispenser controller configured to actuate insertion of radiofrequency identification tags 114 into a food product, and a food-taginterrogator. In an embodiment, the food-tag interrogator is configuredto output commands to the radio frequency identification tags 114 tochange a response frequency of one or more antennas, while the radiofrequency identification tags 114 are suspended in the food product.

FIG. 5 shows a method 500. At 510, the method 500 includes writing ontoa memory circuit of a radio frequency identification tag structured dataindicative of at least one food attribute. At 512, writing onto thememory circuit of the radio frequency identification tag includeswriting structured data corresponding to at least one food attributeincluding at least one of an allergen content, an allergen responseprotocol, or an allergen alerting protocol. At 514, writing onto thememory circuit of the radio frequency identification tag includesinserting at least one data element associated with a food attributeinto a data field corresponding to a food-attribute-specific dataidentifier or food-attribute-specific application identifier. At 516,writing onto the memory circuit of the radio frequency identificationtag includes writing at least one data identifier or applicationidentifier associated with the at least one food attribute.

At 520, the method 500 includes implementing at least one of anauthorization protocol, an authentication protocol, or an activationprotocol responsive to electromagnetic interrogation of the radiofrequency identification tag prior to writing onto the memory circuit ofthe radio frequency identification tag. In an embodiment, implementingat least one of the authorization protocol, the authentication protocol,or the activation protocol responsive to electromagnetic interrogationof the radio frequency identification tag prior to writing onto thememory circuit of the radio frequency identification tag includeincludes implementing at least one authorization protocol associatedwith an enterprise.

At 530, the method 500 includes writing onto the memory circuit of theradio frequency identification tag structured data indicative of atleast one of a nutritional value, a nutritional value per volume, anutritional value per weight, a nutritional value per serving, apercentage of recommended daily allowance per volume, a percentage ofrecommended daily allowance per weight, or a percentage of recommendeddaily allowance per serving. At 540, the method 500 includes writingonto the memory circuit of the radio frequency identification tagstructured data indicative of at least one of a protein content, acarbohydrate content, a vitamin content, a mineral content, a caloriecontent, or an ingredient. At 550, the method 500 includes writing ontothe memory circuit of the radio frequency identification tag structureddata indicative of at least one of a religious dietary requirement, anenterprise association, an enterprise authorization, a calorie controlplan, or a diet point plan.

FIG. 6 shows a method 600 for making a radio frequency identificationtag carried by food particles. At 610, the method 600 includesphysically coupling an integrated circuit includingfood-attribute-identification circuit 106 having food-attribute datastored thereon and an interrogation interface 108 onto an ediblesubstrate 104. At 612, physically coupling the integrated circuit ontothe edible substrate includes attaching the integrated circuit onto theedible substrate with an edible adhesive. At 614, physically couplingthe integrated onto the edible substrate includes physically couplingthe integrated circuit onto a package that provides at least one ofshape or density to keep the integrated circuit suspended in the food.At 620, the method 600 includes at least partially embedding theintegrated circuit in an elastomeric package configured to reduce humansensory feedback when the integrated circuit is in a human dentalocclusion. In an embodiment a method for making an edible transponderincludes at least partially embedding an integrated circuit, includingan interrogation interface 108, in an elastomeric package configured toreduce human sensory feedback when the integrated circuit is in a humandental occlusion.

FIG. 7 shows a method 700. At 710, the method 700 includes combining afirst quantity of radio frequency identification tags 114 with a secondquantity of food product in a stochastic distribution. At 712, combiningthe first quantity of radio frequency identification tags 114 with thesecond quantity of food product includes combining a sufficient numberof tags with the second quantity of food product to provide aprobability of detection of at least one tag in a unit weight or volumeof the food product. At 714, combining the first quantity of radiofrequency identification tags 114 with the second quantity of foodproduct includes combining a sufficient number of tags with the secondquantity of food product to provide a probability of detection of atleast one tag in the second quantity of the food product. At 720, themethod 700 includes mixing the first quantity of radio frequencyidentification tags 114 with the second quantity of food product.

FIG. 8 shows a method 800 for interrogating a plurality of multiplexmicro-transponders. At 810, the method 800 includes irradiating aninterrogation field with a first radio frequency stimulus of a characterand for a duration sufficient to power at least a portion of a pluralityof multiplex micro-transponders. At 812, irradiating the interrogationfield with the first radio frequency stimulus includes irradiating theinterrogation field with an electromagnetic energy stimulus associatedwith at least one of an amplitude modulation communication protocol, acode-division multiple access communication protocol, a direct-sequenceultra-wideband communication protocol, a frequency division multipleaccess communication protocol, a frequency modulation communicationprotocol, a multi-band orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing-basedultra-wideband communication protocol, an orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access communication protocol, a time division multiple accesscommunication protocol, an ultra-wideband communication protocol, or ahybrid or combination thereof.

At 820, the method 800 includes interrogating the interrogation fieldwith at least one of a first food-attribute-specific frequency or afirst food-attribute-specific carrier waveform of a character and for aduration sufficient to communicate with a first set of the plurality ofmultiplex micro-transponders in the interrogation field. At 822,interrogating the interrogation field with at least one of the firstfood-attribute-specific frequency or the first food-attribute-specificcarrier waveform includes interrogating the interrogation field with anallergen-specific frequency or an allergen-specific carrier waveform. At824, interrogating the interrogation field with at least one of thefirst food-attribute-specific frequency or the firstfood-attribute-specific carrier waveform includes interrogating theinterrogation field with an interrogation stimulus that satisfies anallergen-selective criterion.

At 830, the method 800 includes receiving first food-attribute-specificdata responsive to interrogation by the first food-attribute-specificfrequency or the first food-attribute-specific carrier waveform. At 840,the method 800 includes interrogating the interrogation field with asecond food-attribute-specific frequency or a secondfood-attribute-specific carrier waveform of a character and for aduration sufficient to communicate with a second set of the plurality ofmultiplex micro-transponders in the interrogation field. At 850, themethod 800 includes receiving second food-attribute-specific dataresponsive to interrogation by the second food-attribute-specificfrequency or the second food-attribute-specific carrier waveform. At860, the method 800 includes interrogating the interrogation field witha third food-attribute-specific frequency or a thirdfood-attribute-specific carrier waveform of a character and for aduration sufficient to communicate with a third set of the plurality ofmultiplex micro-transponders in the interrogation field. At 870, themethod 800 includes receiving third food-attribute-specific dataresponsive to interrogation by the third food-attribute-specificfrequency or the third food-attribute-specific carrier waveform.

FIG. 9 shows a method 900 for monitoring food intake. At 910, the method900 includes receiving data from an admixture of radio frequencyidentification tags 114 and a food product interrogated by a radiofrequency interrogator, the data corresponding to one or more foodattributes associated with the food product. At 912, receiving data fromthe admixture of radio frequency identification tags 114 and the foodproduct interrogated by a radio frequency interrogator includesacquiring two or more bit streams associated with data corresponding toone or more food attributes. At 914, receiving data from the admixtureof radio frequency identification tags 114 and the food productinterrogated by a radio frequency interrogator includes receivingstructured data corresponding to at least one food attribute includingat least one of an allergen content, an allergen response protocol, oran allergen alerting protocol.

At 920, the method 900 includes outputting an indication associated withone or more attributes of the food product based on a comparison betweenreceived data from the radio frequency identification tags 114 andfiltering information. At 922, outputting the indication includesgenerating at least one of a visual representation, an audiorepresentation, a haptic representation, or a tactile representationindicative of one or more attributes or cumulative attributes of thefood product. At 924, outputting the indication includes generating atleast one of a visual representation, an audio representation, a hapticrepresentation, or a tactile representation indicative of at least oneof an allergen content, an allergen response protocol, or an allergenalerting protocol. In an embodiment, outputting the indication includesgenerating at least one of a visual representation, an audiorepresentation, a haptic representation, or a tactile representationindicative of at least one of a metabolite content, a metaboliteresponse protocol, or a metabolite alerting protocol.

FIG. 10 shows a method 1000 for interrogating radio frequencyidentification tags 114. At 1010, the method 1000 includes irradiatingan admixture of radio frequency identification tags 114 and a foodproduct with a first radio frequency of a character and for a durationsufficient to power a radio frequency identification tag. At 1012,irradiating the admixture of radio frequency identification tags 114 anda food product includes generating a wide field radio frequencyinterrogation stimulus to determine one or more radio frequencyidentification tag locations within the wide field. At 1020, the method1000 includes interrogating the admixture of radio frequencyidentification tags 114 and a food product with a second radio frequencyof a character and for a duration sufficient to communicate with one ormore radio frequency identification tags 114 in the interrogation field.At 1022, interrogating the admixture of radio frequency identificationtags 114 and a food product with the second radio frequency includesdetermining one or more beam-forming parameters of a radio frequencybeam for a radio frequency interrogation stimulus, and interrogating oneor more locations within a wide field with the radio frequency beam.

FIG. 11 shows a method 1100 for monitoring food. At 1110, the method1100 includes decoding data elicited by radio frequency interrogation ofradio frequency identification tags 114 within a volume of food productproximate a food consumption implement. At 1112, decoding the dataelicited by radio frequency interrogation includes decoding a data valuefrom the at least one radio frequency identification tag to determine atleast one of a food handling conditions, a food preparation condition,or food consumption condition. At 1120, the method 1100 includesgenerating a response based on the data decoding, the generated responseindicative of the one or more food attributes associated with the volumeof food product proximate the food consumption implement.

FIG. 12 shows a method 1200 for determining a food condition. At 1210,the method 1200 includes interrogating at least one radio frequencyidentification tag carried by food. At 1220, the method 1200 includesdecoding a data value from the at least one radio frequencyidentification tag to determine a food condition.

FIG. 13 shows a method 1300 for making a radio frequency identificationtag to track food. At 1310, the method 1300 includes forming at leastone electrical trace on a substrate configured to change state during afood handling, preparation, or consumption condition. At 1320, themethod 1300 includes operatively coupling the at least one electricaltrace to an interrogation interface 108 of an integrated circuit.

FIG. 14 shows a method 1400 of manufacturing an edible transponderdevice.

At 1410, the method 1400 includes writing food-attribute informationonto a memory circuit of an edible transponder device having aninterrogation interface 108 operatively coupled to the memory circuit.At 1412, writing food-attribute information onto a memory circuit of anedible transponder device includes writing data indicative of one ormore of an allergen content, an allergen response protocol, or anallergen alerting protocol onto the memory circuit of the edibletransponder device 102.

At 1420, the method 1400 includes initiating at least one of anauthorization protocol, an authentication protocol, or an activationprotocol responsive to electromagnetic interrogation of aninterrogation-selective interface prior to writing onto the memorycircuit of the radio frequency identification tag. In an embodiment,initiating at least one of the authorization protocol, theauthentication protocol, or the activation protocol includes initiatingat least one of an enterprise-specific authorization protocol, anenterprise-specific authentication protocol, or an enterprise-specificactivation protocol responsive to electromagnetic interrogation of aninterrogation-selective interface prior to writing onto the memorycircuit of the radio frequency identification tag

At 1430, the method 1400 includes writing a key according to at leastone of an activation protocol or a deactivation protocol onto the memorycircuit of the edible transponder device. At 14140, the method 1400includes writing a user specific security code onto a memory circuit ofthe edible transponder. At 1450, the method 1400 includes writing onto amemory circuit of the edible transponder a key according to anallergen-specific encryption protocol or an allergen-specific decryptionprotocol. At 1460, the method 1400 includes writing onto a memorycircuit of the edible transponder a key according to at least one of acryptographic protocol, encryption protocol, or decryption protocol. At1470, the method 1400 includes writing onto a memory circuit of theedible transponder a key according to at least one of a regulatory useprotocol or a regulatory compliance protocol.

At 1480, the method 1400 includes writing onto a memory circuit of theedible transponder a key according to at least one of an authenticationprotocol, an authorization protocol, an activation protocol, or adeactivation protocol. At 1490, the method 1400 includes writing onto amemory circuit of the edible transponder data associated with at leastone of an amplitude modulation communication protocol, a code-divisionmultiple access communication protocol, a direct-sequence ultra-widebandcommunication protocol, a frequency division multiple accesscommunication protocol, a frequency modulation communication protocol,an orthogonal frequency division multiple access communication protocol,a time division multiple access communication protocol, anultra-wideband communication protocol, or a hybrid or combinationprotocol thereof.

FIG. 15 shows a method 1500 for making a palatable transponder 52. At1510, the method 1500 includes at least partially embedding anintegrated circuit, including a food-attribute-identification circuitoperably coupled to an interrogation interface, in an encapsulant 54having one or more organoleptic attributes that mimic the food product.

FIG. 16 shows a method 1600 for making a palatable transponder 52. At1610, the method 1600 includes at least partially embedding anintegrated circuit, including a food-attribute-identification circuitoperably coupled to an interrogation interface, in an encapsulant 54having one or more organoleptic attributes that mimic the food product.In an embodiment, the method 1600 includes at least partially embeddingan integrated circuit, including an interrogation interface, in anelastomeric package configured to reduce human sensory feedback when theintegrated circuit is in a human dental occlusion.

At least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein canbe integrated into a data processing system. A data processing systemgenerally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video displaydevice, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, processors suchas microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entitiessuch as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, andapplications programs, one or more interaction devices (e.g., a touchpad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), and/or control systems includingfeedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for detecting positionand/or velocity, control motors for moving and/or adjusting componentsand/or quantities). A data processing system can be implementedutilizing suitable commercially available components, such as thosetypically found in data computing/communication and/or networkcomputing/communication systems.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; theuse of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that incertain contexts the choice between hardware and software can becomesignificant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs.Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are variousvehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologiesdescribed herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/orfirmware in one or more machines or articles of manufacture), and thatthe preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processesand/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, ifan implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, theimplementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle;alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt fora mainly software implementation that is implemented in one or moremachines or articles of manufacture; or, yet again alternatively, theimplementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/orfirmware in one or more machines or articles of manufacture. Hence,there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/ordevices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, noneof which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilledin the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations willtypically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmwarein one or more machines or articles of manufacture.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely examples, and that in fact, many other architectures can beimplemented that achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably coupleable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably coupleable include, but arenot limited to, physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelesslyinteracting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logicallyinteractable components.

In an embodiment, one or more components may be referred to herein as“configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,”“adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Suchterms (e.g., “configured to”) can generally encompass active-statecomponents and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-statecomponents, unless context requires otherwise.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by the reader that each function and/or operation within suchblock diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware inone or more machines or articles of manufacture, or virtually anycombination thereof. Further, the use of “Start,” “End,” or “Stop”blocks in the block diagrams is not intended to indicate a limitation onthe beginning or end of any functions in the diagram. Such flowcharts ordiagrams may be incorporated into other flowcharts or diagrams whereadditional functions are performed before or after the functions shownin the diagrams of this application. In an embodiment, several portionsof the subject matter described herein is implemented via ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats.However, some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole orin part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as oneor more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as oneor more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one ormore programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or moreprograms running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or asvirtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitryand/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be wellwithin the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure.In addition, the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein arecapable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms,and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter describedherein applies regardless of the particular type of signal-bearingmedium used to actually carry out the distribution. Non-limitingexamples of a signal-bearing medium include the following: a recordabletype medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc(CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory,etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to the reader that,based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the subject matter described herein and itsbroader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompasswithin their scope all such changes and modifications as are within thetrue spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Ingeneral, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g.,bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms(e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but notlimited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” etc.). Further, if a specific number of an introducedclaim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recitedin the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent ispresent. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appendedclaims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and“one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of suchphrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of aclaim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits anyparticular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claimscontaining only one such recitation, even when the same claim includesthe introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinitearticles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically beinterpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holdstrue for the use of definite articles used to introduce claimrecitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introducedclaim recitation is explicitly recited, such recitation should typicallybe interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typicallymeans at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense of the convention (e.g., “a system having atleast one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systemsthat have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together,B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instanceswhere a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” isused, in general such a construction is intended in the sense of theconvention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). Typically a disjunctive word and/or phrasepresenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description,claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate thepossibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, the operations recited thereingenerally may be performed in any order. Also, although variousoperational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should beunderstood that the various operations may be performed in orders otherthan those that are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently.Examples of such alternate orderings includes overlapping, interleaved,interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental,simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless contextdictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “relatedto,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended toexclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects andembodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and arenot intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit beingindicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1.-12. (canceled)
 13. The apparatus of claim 180,wherein the encapsulant includes an elastomer configured to reduce humansensory feedback when the integrated circuit is in a human dentalocclusion. 14.-15. (canceled)
 16. The apparatus of claim 180, whereinthe interrogation interface includes an edible wire antenna. 17.(canceled)
 18. The apparatus of claim 180, wherein the interrogationinterface includes an antenna having a cross-section on the order oftens of micrometers.
 19. The apparatus of claim 180, wherein theinterrogation interface includes an antenna having a cross-section onthe order of hundreds of micrometers.
 20. The apparatus of claim 180,wherein the interrogation interface includes an antenna having across-section ranging from about tens of micrometers to about hundredsof micrometers.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The apparatus of claim 180, whereinthe interrogation interface includes an antenna having a rigidity thatis substantially the same as that of the food product. 23.-24.(canceled)
 25. The apparatus of claim 180, wherein the palatabletransponder device is self-tuning.
 26. The apparatus of claim 180,wherein the palatable transponder device is configured to self-tune tocompensate for environmental effects.
 27. The apparatus of claim 180configured to self-tune to compensate for encapsulant materials effect.28. The apparatus of claim 180, further comprising one or more tunabletransistors to self-correct for changes in temperature. 29.-46.(canceled)
 47. An apparatus, comprising: a palatable substrate havingone or more organoleptic attributes that mimic a food product; anintegrated circuit disposed on the substrate; and an interrogationinterface disposed on, the substrate.
 48. (canceled)
 49. The apparatusof claim 47, wherein the substrate includes chamfered or rounded edgeshaving a profile configured to reduce an incidence rate of abrasion,cutting, or lodging in the human digestive tract. 50.-52. (canceled) 53.The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the substrate includes one or moreorganoleptic attributes that reducer an ability of a person todiscriminate between the palatable transponder and the food product. 54.The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the substrate includes one or morepigments that mimic a color associated with the food product.
 55. Theapparatus of claim 47, wherein the substrate includes one or morebinders, fillers, gelling agents, plasticizers, stabilizers, suspendingagents, or thickeners that mimic a density associated with the foodproduct.
 56. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the substrate includesone or more flavorants that mimic a flavor associated with the foodproduct.
 57. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the substrate includesone or more aromatizers that mimic a scent associated with the foodproduct.
 58. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the substrate includesone or more texturizers that mimic a texture associated with the foodproduct.
 59. (canceled)
 60. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein thesubstrate includes an edible material.
 61. The palatable transponderdevice of claim 47, wherein the substrate includes one or more particlesof the food product.
 62. (canceled)
 63. The apparatus of claim 47,further comprising an elastomeric package in which the substrate is atleast partially embedded, the elastomeric package including one or morematerials that reduce human sensory feedback when the substrate is in ahuman dental occlusion. 64.-70. (canceled)
 71. A method, comprising:configuring an integrated circuit to obtain attributes of a foodproduct; and encapsulating the integrated circuit in an encapsulanthaving one or more organoleptic attributes that mimic the food product.72.-149. (canceled)
 150. A method, comprising: obtaining food-attributeinformation in response to a food product with an edible transponderdevice having one or more organoleptic properties that mimic one or moreorganoleptic properties of the food product; and transmitting thefood-attribute information to a destination that is remote from thetransponder device. 151.-161. (canceled)
 162. A method, comprising:acquiring data related to a food with a radio frequency identificationtag that is admixed with the food and that has one or more organolepticproperties that respectively correspond to one or more organolepticproperties of the food; and transmitting the data in response to aninterrogation request. 163.-167. (canceled)
 168. The method of claim 162herein the data is related to at least one of a nutritional value of thefood, a nutritional value per unit volume of the food, a nutritionalvalue per unit weight of the food, a nutritional value per unit servingof the food, a percentage of recommended daily allowance per unit volumeof the food, a percentage of recommended daily allowance per unit weightof the food, or a percentage of recommended daily allowance per servingof the food.
 169. The method of claim 162 herein the data is related toat least one of a protein content of the food, a carbohydrate content ofthe food, a vitamin content of the food, a mineral content of the food,a calorie content of the food, or an ingredient of the food.
 170. Themethod of claim 162 wherein the data is related to at least one of areligious dietary requirement, an enterprise association, an enterpriseauthorization, a calorie control plan, or a diet point plan. 171.-179.(canceled)
 180. An apparatus, comprising: an interrogation interface; afood-attribute-identification circuit coupled to the interrogationinterface, configured to store food-attribute data associated with afood product, and configured to provide the food-attribute data inresponse to the interrogation interface; and an encapsulant disposedover the interrogation interface and the food-attribute-identificationcircuit, configured for admixing with the food product, and having oneor more organoleptic attributes that mimic the food product.
 181. Themethod of claim 150, further comprising storing the food-attributeinformation on the edible transponder device.
 182. The method of claim162, further comprising admixing the radio frequency identification tagwith the food.